Collapsible display stand



May 6, 1941.

E. H. SHERWOOD COLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY STAND Filed March 24, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W Q5744 w Q i if A g do as 46 l 0 W I 7/\ 7 V I E l 119' i 7 izo W f6 arm 17 fieizwad May 6, 1941- E. H. SHERWOOD v COLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY STAND Filed March 24, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 6, 1941 UNITED I STATES PATENT OFFICE CoLL PS IBLE DISPLAY STAND I, EdWardiHQSher-wood, Chicago, Ill.

' f Application that 24, 1938, Serial No. 197,776

' 2 Clai'ms.' (c1. air-130) The primary object of my invention is the provision of a display stand for vending packaged products, such as seeds and the like, which are displayed in attractive packets. A display stand that is neat, attractive, durable, and inexpensive to construct. One that may be packed for shipment by unskilled labor without waste or breakage, and which when in process of transportation will form a small, compact unit of light weight, thereby diminishing shipping charges, but which at the same time may be unpacked and placed in operative display position as easily as opening the drawer of a desk.

In vending seeds and the like, it is considered good commercial practice to display a variegated assortment of packets in such a manner as to afford adequate visibility of the various items for the purpose of creating a desire to purchase on the part of the potential customer, and to facilitate selection and sale. Floor and counter space is frequently a pressing factor with the average merchant, and one of the fundamental purposes of my invention is to accomplish the foregoing objective through utilization of a minimum of space, thereby opening many outlets for the sale and distribution of products of this character, which heretofore have not been generally available. The low cost of producing the display stand, in combination with the space-economy features, facility of packing and shipping, all contribute to the opening up of new channels of distributions not heretofore generally intensively exploited. The ease with which my invention may be packed, shipped and placed in operative display position permits of more intensive exploitation, on a consignment basis or otherwise, of small merchants and others heretofore not generally considered a profitable market.

Other objects and advantages reside in the structural features of the invention, combination and arrangement of the several parts and in the particular method of display, all of which will be readily apparent upon reference to the drawings and the following detailed description forming a part of the specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view disclosing the stand in display position with packets inserted in the bottom tray.

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and

Figure 3, a view similar to Fig. 2, showing a cross-sectional view of the stand after it has been packaged for shipment.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

. The reference character It], designates'a rectangular removable box cover of cardboard or the like, adapted to securely cover box I2, housing display stand I4, while the same is in process of shipment, or otherwise not in active use. Box I2 is composed of the same material as cover ID, the latter being of slightly larger dimensions so that the side and end walls may frictionally engage similar walls of box i2, and when removed preparatory to placing stand M in operative position, it may conveniently be reversed in position so as to reinforce box l2, thereby adding to the rigidity of the mounting of the display stand.

The display stand has a lateral frame of flat metal IS, with spaced annular holes l8, adapted for the reception of upright 20. The latter is a single piece of wire running longitudinally across the bottom center of each tray, and superimposed on transverse compartment members 22, by spot welding at all points of intersection, and likewise welded to the opposite upper ends of trays 24. Adjacent the upper end portion of trays 24 it is bent at right angles to engage annular openings l8, and serve as a support and pivot for movable trays 24.

The upper rectangular wire perimeter of tray 24 is formed of one continuous piece of wire butt welded, and to its inner surfaces are welded at both sides the top portions of upright wires 26, the latter wires being integral with transverse members 22, forming structurally, a U-shaped member. Reference character 28 designates space bars, Welded to the undersurface of perimeter 30, at equal space intervals, to serve as a brace for the tray and divide the same into compartments or pockets 32 of equal size.

The lateral frame l6, has welded to it, adjacent each top and bottom portion thereof, and intermediate each tray, longitudinal cross wires 34, the said wires in conjunction with lateral flat metal l6 forming the framework of the display stand. Adjacent the base of lateral walls It, on opposite sides thereof are annular openings 36, for the reception of the legs 38, of lever or base 40. When in display position, the lever supports the stand, the side members 42, being in a horizontal position, thereby causing the trays to become stepped, each tray being inclined upwardly from front to rear and comprising a plurality of shelves stepped successively upwardly from front to rear. When in display position the upper portion of lateral frame l6, pivots on set screws 44, to which it is secured by threaded openings 45, the screws 44 being inserted through the outer upper side walls of box [2. When the easel side It will also be underconstruction and arrangement of parts may be;

varied within the scope of the invention herein disclosed and claimed.

I claim:

1. In a combined container and displaystand including a display frame pivotally' secured to said container for swinging movement into and out of operative position; said display frame including a pair of elongated frame members havingtheir upper ends pivotall'y secured to said container, a plurality of display trays pivotally carried by said frame members between the same, and a lever resting on a support to form a larger base, to prevent tipping of the container for supporting said frame, said lever comprising a substantially U-shaped member having its free ends pivotally secured to the lower ends of said frame members, at least portions of the legs of said lever being adapted to be engaged by opposed wall portions of said container to maintain said free ends of said legs in pivotal engagement with said frame.

2. The structure of claim 1, the free ends of said U-shaped lever resting on a support to form EDWARD SHERWOOD. 

